Work and Family

Although the “traditional” family—a father who works outside the home and financially supports the children and a mother whose work is keeping the house and raising the children—has been disappearing for more than a generation, our workplaces and government policies have not kept pace with America’s new reality.

Most children are growing up in homes with both parents working or with single parents. One-third of workers don’t have access to paid sick leave, and only 42 percent have paid personal leave. What’s the impact on public health when working people can’t afford to take sick days during a flu epidemic? Who takes care of a sick child? Who’s home to fix dinner and help with homework? Who can dedicate time to a sick elderly parent?

The recession and jobless recovery have complicated life further for working families, when having to leave work for a family emergency could lead to long-term unemployment.

More about this issue:

Apr 12, 2024 | News Story

Members of the Fordham Graduate Student Workers union (FGSW-CWA Local 1104) have voted by an overwhelming 98 percent supermajority to give union leaders the authority to call a strike if negotiations between FGSW-CWA and university leadership fail to reach a fair settlement.

Apr 12, 2024 | News Story

Seeking to strengthen high-quality free legal services for New Yorkers and fight high turnover, union members at Mobilization for Justice hit a historic landmark this week as their strike is in its seventh week.

Apr 12, 2024 | News Story

The NYC CLC and UFT recently hosted a Labor Women's Power Breakfast as part of our celebration of Women's History Month in March.

Apr 5, 2024 | News Story

This week, the Association of Legislative Employees (ALE) reached a tentative agreement with the NYC Council for its first-ever contract.

Apr 5, 2024 | News Story

Postdoctoral researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have signed up more than 80% of coworkers on authorization cards, expressing support for forming a union with the United Auto Workers.

Apr 5, 2024 | News Story

More than 60 elected officials throughout New York have signed onto

Apr 5, 2024 | News Story

At a time of crushing childcare costs in New York City and around the country, the labor-backed Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project is one bright spot for working-class families.

Apr 5, 2024 | News Story

Staffing shortages in the public sector are at crisis levels because of the recruitment and retention issues caused by Tier 6. It is critical that the State addresses this problem in the 2024-25 State Budget. Will you make a call to show your support for fixing Tier 6?

Mar 29, 2024 | News Story

On Wednesday, the Office of the New York City Comptroller and the NYC CLC hosted a Workers’ Rights Convening at the CUNY School of Law.

Mar 29, 2024 | News Story

On March 25, 1911, 146 workers—mostly young, immigrant women—were killed in a horrific fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory at Washington Place and Greene Street in lower Manhattan.